Automated retractable vehicle step

Abstract

Powered retractable vehicle step assist systems and methods are provided. The steps systems are configured for installation (e.g., after market installation) and use with a vehicle. The system can include a stepping member movable between a retracted position and a deployed position with respect to the vehicle. The system can further include a vehicle interface configured to electronically communicate with an existing communication bus of the vehicle, such as through a connection with an existing electronics port of the vehicle. A controller of the step system can be configured to process information received from the vehicle interface and, based at least partly on the processing of the information, cause movement of the stepping member between the retracted position and the deployed position.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A powered vehicle step assist system configured for use with a vehicle, the step assist system comprising:
 a step comprising a stepping surface that is movable between a first position and a second position with respect to the vehicle, the step including one or more mounts configured to allow attachment of the step to the vehicle; 
 a motor drivably coupled to the step and capable of effectuating movement of the stepping surface from the first position to the second position; and 
 a controller in electronic communication with the motor; and 
 a switch controllable by a user to select a mode of operation of the step assist system, the mode of operation selectable between (i) an automated mode in which the controller causes the motor to effectuate movement of the stepping surface between the first position and the second position in response to door status information generated by an existing vehicle computer system of the vehicle, (ii) a first override mode in which the stepping surface is positioned in the first position regardless of the door status information, and a (iii) second override mode in which the stepping surface is positioned in the second position regardless of the door status information. 
 
     
     
       2. The powered vehicle step assist system of  claim 1  wherein the door status information comprises one or more of door opened/closed status and door locked/unlocked status. 
     
     
       3. The powered vehicle step assist system of  claim 1  wherein the switch comprises a three-state toggle switch. 
     
     
       4. The powered vehicle step assist system of  claim 1  wherein the three-state toggle switch is configured to be set in a center position corresponding to the automated mode. 
     
     
       5. The powered vehicle step assist system of  claim 1  wherein the vehicle computer system comprises one or more of a body control module and a door control unit. 
     
     
       6. The powered vehicle step assist system of  claim 1  wherein during movement from the first position to the second position, the stepping surface moves outwardly, in a direction away from the vehicle, and during movement from the second position to the first position, the stepping surface moves inwardly, in a direction towards the vehicle. 
     
     
       7. The powered vehicle step assist system of  claim 1  wherein (i) if, at a time the user controls the switch to select the first override mode, the stepping surface is in the second position, the controller responds to the selection of the first override mode by causing the motor to effectuate movement of the stepping surface from the second position to the first position, after which the stepping surface stays in the first position so long as the step assist system remains in the first override mode, regardless of the door status information, and (ii) if, at a time the user controls the switch to select the second override mode, the stepping surface is in the first position, the controller responds to the selection of the second override mode by causing the motor to effectuate movement of the stepping surface from the first position to the second position, after which the stepping surface stays in the second position so long as the step assist system remains in the second override mode, regardless of the door status information. 
     
     
       8. A vehicle step assist system configured for use with a vehicle, the step assist system comprising:
 a step unit comprising a stepping surface and configured for mounting to a vehicle; 
 a controller in electronic communication with the step unit; and 
 a user input device controllable by a user to select a mode of operation of the step assist system, 
 wherein the mode of operation is selectable from a plurality of available operational modes comprising at least (i) a first mode in which the controller, in response to status information associated with the vehicle, causes powered movement of the stepping surface between a first position with respect to the vehicle and a second position with respect to the vehicle, and (ii) a second mode in which the stepping surface is positioned in the first position and does not move to the second position. 
 
     
     
       9. The vehicle step assist system of  claim 8  wherein the step unit comprises a motor configured to effectuate movement of the stepping surface between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
       10. The vehicle step assist system of  claim 8  wherein the user input device comprises a toggle switch or a button. 
     
     
       11. The vehicle step assist system of  claim 8  wherein the user input device comprises a touch screen interface. 
     
     
       12. The vehicle step assist system of  claim 8  wherein the user input device comprises a remote control. 
     
     
       13. The vehicle step assist system of  claim 8  wherein the plurality of available operational modes further comprises a third mode in which the stepping surface is positioned in the second position and does not move to the first position. 
     
     
       14. The vehicle step assist system of  claim 13  wherein the first position is a retracted position in which the stepping surface is retracted inwardly with respect to the vehicle, and the second position is a deployed position in which the stepping surface is deployed outwardly with respect to the vehicle. 
     
     
       15. The vehicle step assist system of  claim 14  wherein (i) if at a time the user interacts with the user input device to select the second mode, the stepping surface is in the retracted position, the stepping surface remains in the retracted position so long as the step assist system is in the second mode, and (ii) if at a time the user interacts with the user input device to select the second mode, the stepping surface is in the deployed position, the controller responds to the selection of the second mode by commanding the motor to cause the step unit to effectuate movement of the stepping surface from the deployed position to the retracted position, after which point the stepping surface remains in the retracted position so long as the step assist system is in the second mode. 
     
     
       16. The vehicle step assist system of  claim 15  wherein (iii) if at a time the user interacts with the user input device to select the third mode, the stepping surface is in the deployed position, the stepping surface remains in the deployed position so long as the step assist system is in the third mode, and (ii) if at a time the user interacts with the user input device to select the third mode, the stepping surface is in the retracted position, the controller responds to the selection of the third mode by commanding the motor to cause the step unit to effectuate movement of the stepping surface from the retracted position to the deployed position, after which point the stepping surface remains in the deployed position so long as the step assist system is in the third mode. 
     
     
       17. A method of controlling an a powered vehicle step system installed on a vehicle, comprising:
 operating the powered vehicle step system in a first-user selectable mode, said operating comprising:
 electronically obtaining status information associated with the vehicle; 
 electronically processing the status information to determine that movement of a stepping surface of the powered vehicle step is appropriate; and 
 in response to determining that movement of the stepping surface is appropriate, controlling a motor to move the stepping surface with respect to the vehicle; 
 
 in response to first user interaction with a user input device of the powered vehicle step system, switching the powered vehicle step system from operating in the first-user selectable mode to operating in a second-user selectable mode; and 
 while the powered vehicle step system is operating in the second-user selectable mode, maintaining the stepping surface in a first position with respect to the vehicle regardless of the status information associated with the vehicle. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , wherein said switching comprises:
 confirming whether or not the stepping surface is already in the first position; and 
 in response to determining that the stepping surface is not in the first position, moving the stepping surface to the first position. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 17  wherein the first position is a retracted position and the stepping surface is movable between the retracted position and a deployed position. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 in response to second user interaction with the user input device subsequent to the first user interaction, switching the operating mode of the powered vehicle step system from the second-user selectable mode back to the first -user selectable mode; and 
 repeating said operating the powered vehicle step system is in the first-user selectable mode.